Clay extrusion machine



Jan. 6, 1953 R. F. SMITH 2,624,094

,CLAY EXTRUSION MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 21, 1948 inventor Jan. 6, 1953 R. F. -$MITH CLAY EXTRUSION MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed 001.. 21, 1948 3nnentor WW (Ittornegs Jan. 6, 1953 R. F. SMITH CLAY EXTRUSION MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZSnnentor Gttomegs Jan. 6, 1953 R. F. SMITH 2,624,094

CLAY EXTRUSION MACHINE Filed Oct. 21, 1948 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 E g I Patented Jan. 6, I953 UNITED STAT s ATENT OFFICE CLAY EXTRUSION MACHINE Application October 21, 1948, Serial No. 55,808

11 Claims. (CI. 25-11) This invention has to do with a machine for extruding plastic materials and is more particularly concerned with an'apparatus or machine for extruding modeling clay and similar materials.

In connection with the styling of automobiles it is common to form large or full-sized models thereof in which modeling clay is employed. Frequently in such modeling work it is desirable to provide elongated strips or moldings of modeling clay which simulate the moldings of the actual automobile. These moldings may be of innumerable cross-sectional shapes. The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved machine for extruding modeling clay or other plastic material into strips or moldings of any desired cross-sectional shape. Other objects of the invention are the following: to provide a plastic extrusion-machine in which it is easy to remove an extrusion-die and quickly replace it with another die'having the same or a differently shaped extrusion orifice, to provide an improved means for clamping or looking an extrusion-die in operative position or for unclamping the die and replacing it with another, to provide a die holder whereby one or more dies may be easily located and resiliently held in desired position prior to being clamped into operative position for having plastic material extruded therethrough, to provide an extrusionmachine having improved means for permitting ready removal of an extrusion-cylinder and replacement of the same or a diiierent cylinder, to provide an improved machine for extruding modeling clay and like plastic material having an extensible and retractible support for the extruded material, and to provide an improved extrusion-machine actuated by air or other fluid pressure having extensible and retractible means for connecting a fixed source of fluid pressure to the extrusion-machine whereby the latter may be operated in a multiplicity of positions to which it may be moved. Other objects and advantages of invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds.

Reference is herewith made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an extrusionmachine in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: 7

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an extrusionapparatus with parts broken away showing a slidable cover in closed position, a support for the extruded material in extended position, and a shelf in extended position on which is shown 'means for extensibly mounting a table 2 o a plurality of extrusion-dies having differently shaped extrusion-orifices. v

Figure 2 is a side elevational view, with parts broken away, of the apparatus of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on line '33 in Figure 5.

Figure l is a sectional view of a detail on line 2-4 in Figure 3." g g I Figure 5 is a view taken substantially on line 5-5 in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 6-6 in Figure 3.

Figure '7 is an enlarged sectional'view showing or support for extruded material.

Figure 8 is a view substantially on'line 8-3 in Figure 3 with parts broken away to show the construction more clearly.

Figure 9 is a view substantially on line 9-9 in Figure 8. g

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line Ill-l0 in Figure 8.

Generalfdescription The construction shown in the drawings includes an extrusion-cylinder for containing'a supply of modeling clay or like material to be extruded. Means are provided to readily lock an extrusion-cylinder in operative position and to unlock an extrusion-cylinder so thatit may be removed. In this way an extrusion-cylinder can be quickly removed, refilled with modeling clay and reinserted in the machine, or replaced by a different cylinder with modeling clay therein. Means are provided also whereby an extrusiondie can be quickly replaced with another or others and the die or dies located and held in operative position relative to the extrusion-cylinder. The extrusion-dies preferably are formed of sheet aluminum which is easily cut-out to form the shape of orifice desired for any particular molding. In this manner inexpensive dies may be used. A retractible and extensible table is provided which, when extended, may have placed thereon a removable board on which the modeling clay is extruded and which may be carried with the elongated molding strip thereon to the model being worked on. When the machine is not in use the table may be retracted so as not to project outwardly from the machine. In order that the machine may be easily moved from one place to another it is provided with casters. The

cylinder from a fixed air line to any position which the length of hose will permit, the reel being rotated as necessary. The machine also has a generally enclosed sheet metal casing, a slidable cover being provided which is slidable to permit access to the extrusion-cylinder and control elements of the apparatus. When the machine isnot in use the slidable cover is moved to closed position.

Detailed description Referring to the drawings the reference numeral l designates in its entirety the supporting frame of the machine, while l2 represents in its entirety an enclosing sheet metal casing carried by the frame. Casters I3 are provided for moveing the machine from place to place as desired. A slidable cover 14 supported by rollers I5 is provided, the cover being in open position in Figures 1 and 2 and in closed position in Figure 3. Below the cover in the closed position is an extrusion-cylinder l6 adapted to contain plastic material, such as modeling clay, to be extruded. The right-hand end of extrusion-cylinder l6 contacts a plate [8 which has a circular opening 28 of the same diameter as that of the internal diameter of cylinder l6 and is in alignment therewith. The plate I8 is secured to the right-hand end of a member 22 as by means of screws 23 (Fig. 8) Theleft-hand end of member 22 has a screw-threaded opening 24 within which, in mating relation, is a screw-threaded member 26 having a handle 28 fixed thereto for rotating the same. The screw-threaded member 26 (see especially Figure 3) has a bore 30 of the same diameter as that of the cylinder 16 and the bore and cylinder are in alignment. The bore 30 is enlarged at the right-hand end thereof as shown at 32 so it will accommodate the left hand end of cylinder IS, the shoulder 34 between the bores 30 and 32 contacting the left-hand end of cylinder when the machine is in operative position. Movement of the handle 28 and screw-threaded member 26 from the full line positions in Figure '8 to "the dotted line positions will move'the shoulder 34 to the left out of contact with the end of cylinder l6 whereby the'cylihder may be removed from the machine, When a cylinder is removed, modelingfclay, normally supplied as a cylindrical slug of slightly less diameter than the internal diameter of the extrusion-cylinder, may be inserted therein and'the' cylinder with the modeling clay replacedin the machine, or a new cylinder with a supply of modeling'clay inserted. If desired, the modeling clay may be heated to make it more plastic. In the full line positions of handle 28 and screw-threaded member 26, the right hand end of cylinder 16 is forced to the right against plate 18 and securely held in fixed position.

Member 22 has a pair of upwardly extending side elements 36 which are thickened at 38. Within the thickened portion 38 and fixed to the base 40. of member 22 by'screws 42 (see Fig. 6) is a V-blo c k which acts as a support for cylinder l6 and as a means for accurately locating the right-hand end, of the cylinder with respect to the opening 20 in plate IS. The thickened portions 38 also have pins 46 supported thereby, the free or outer ends of which cooperate with slotted openings, 48 in a pair of opposite arms so; The righthand ends of the arms 50 incline upwardly and are secured together by cross-rods 52 and 54, which latter also serve as handles-for actuating the arms as a unit. Each arm 50 is formed with a cam surface 56 and an arcuate-shaped surure 9).

4 face 58. Each cam surface 56 cooperates with an inclined face or edge 60 of a member 62, each member 62 being secured by screws 6 3 to member 22.

The arcuate-shaped surfaces 53 of the pair of arms Elli cooperate with a pair of similar rollers $6 rotatably mounted on pins -38. The inner ends of the pins are in threaded engagement at 'lil (Fig. 8) with a locking-plate i2. Set screws it cooperate with the pins 68 to secure the same in proper position in the locking-plate l2. Bumpers E3 of rubber or similar material are provided about each set screw. The locking-plate l2 has an opening 76 in'the upper half thereof, the inner portion of the opening being in alignment with and of the same. diameter as the internal diameter of the cylinder lfi'and the opening 25 in plate 58, while the outer portion of opening is flared outwardly at Tl as best seen in Figures 8 and 10. The locking-plate i2 is hinged by means of a rod $6 extending throughthe same at the lower portion thereof to a pair of similar links or straps secured to members -22 by means of screws 8% (screws 84 shown in drawing only in link of Fig- Each link $2 at its right-hand end has an elongated opening or slot 85 cooperating with an enlarged head 36 of the rod 8%. The construction of the slots 85 and heads 83 is such that a loose connection is providedbetween these parts and the clamping plate in-movable back and forth as permitted by the length of the slot.

The clamping-plate T2 isso mounted that it is spaced 2. small distance from the plate l8. Betwecnthese parts'is a composite member eonsisting-of a sheet metal member 95.) to which is secured adjacent the lower portion thereof a resilient or spring member '92 of U-shape in cross section. The member92 is secured by means of screws as to'the plate l2. A helical spring 96 in the U-shaped member 92 biases the plate '52 to the right as viewed in Figures 1, 3, 8, 9 and 10. V'Iember 93 has a circular opening at therein of the same diameter as'and in alignment with the inner diameter of the cylinder E6, the opening 253 in plate is and the opening 3'5 in plate '52.

Between the member 9!} and the plate 1'2 is shown an extrusion-die its having an opening E32 therein 01 the shape desired for any particular strip of modeling clay or the like. The die iiiii may be madeof any desired material. Sheet aluminum is a convenient material to use as it is relatively inexpensive audit is easy to form the same with an extrusion-opening of any desired shape. A backing plate I66 of sheet steel or the like is provided between the die 1 iii] and the plate i2. Backing plate I36 has an opening E68 in alignment with the opening [E22 in the extrusion die 5%. The opening 18 of the backing plate may be the same shape as that of the extrusiondie or it may be of sufficient size and shape as to accommodate a multiplicity of extrusion-dies having differently-shaped orifices. If desired also, a plurality of dies having. differently-shaped orifices may be employed at one time and these may be displaced relativelyto one another so that the effective opening is a composite of the two separate shapes. The sheet metal plate 9 3 and its spring mounting applies sufficient pressure to hold the one or more dies, or die or dies and backing plate to the hinged-clamping plate 52in any desired position relative to the longitudinal axis of the extrusion-cylinder.

When it is desired tov change dies the handles 52 and 5A are raisedto thereby bring the pair of arms 59 to the position shown by the broken lines in Figure 9. A deflector pin I03 fixed to each of the two side walls 38 of member 22 engages the left hand end of each arm 50 to insure that the left-hand ends of the arms will contact the upper portions of spring clips I04 at such point thereon as to bias the same to the left and cause I the left-hand ends of the arms 50 to be held by the spring clips, thereby holding the right-hand ends of the arms 50 in raised position. With the right-hand ends of arms 50 in elevated position, .the arcuate surfaces 58 of arms 50 have cleared the rollers 86 on pins 68 whereby the upper end of locking plate 12 is free to be swung outwardly about the rod 80 as a hinge or pivot. The rubber bumpers fixed to the locking-plate prevent marring or damage to an extensible table (later described) located below the locking-plate. With the locking-plate swung outwardly the die or dies may be removed and a different die or dies inserted between the locking plate and the resiliently mounted sheet metal member 90. The locking plate 12, sheet metal member 90 and die or dies are then swung into position next to the outer face of plate I8. The outer ends of the pair of arms 58 are then moved downwardly. The arcuate surfaces 58 of the arms 50 and the rollers 86 together with the cam surfaces 55 and inclined surfaces (50 move the pair of arms 50 and the looking plate 12 slightly to the left as permittedby the loose connections provided by the slots 48 and 85, thereby tightly clamping or locking sheet metal member 05 and the die or dies and/or backing plate in fixed operative position adjacent the extrusion-cylinder.

While the locking-plate is swung outwardly as described above, a new supply of modeling clay may be inserted into an extrusion-cylinder. This is an alternative method for filling an extrusioncylinder to that employed when the extrusion-- cylinder is removed as heretofore mentioned.

For extruding the modeling clay from an extrusion-cylinder I8 there is provided a plunger H2 actuated by a piston-rod H4 connected to a piston I IS in an air cylinder I I8. Air under pressure is supplied to the machine through a hose I20 having one end adapted to be connected at I22 (see Fig. 2) to a suitable source of compressed air. The hose is carried on a rotatable reel I24 so that the machine may be operated in various: positions spaced from the supply of air pressure.

From the reel the hose is connected by airline I25 to a unit I28 which supplies a small amount of oil to the air and then by pipe I30 to a fourway valve I32. A suitable control handle for the valve is indicated at I34. For regulating the: amount of pressure supplied to the entrance side of the valve there is provided a control rod I30 movable inwardly by means of cone-shaped member I38 carried on a screw-threaded member I40: actuated by hand wheel I42. A spring (not: shown) biases the control rod I36 outwardly against the member I38. The cone-shaped; member and the end of the control rod I36 contacting the cone-shaped member I38 are carried in a bath of oil in compartment I44. A suitable gage I48 indicates the amount of air pressure supplied to the valve I32. A pipe I48 leads from the valve I32 to the left-hand end of the air cylinder beyond the piston therein. Another pipe I50 leads from valve I32 to the right-hand end of the air cylinder. A third pipe I52 leads from th air valve to an exhaust silencer I54. Movement of handle I34 in one direction from neutral. position will permit air from line I30 to pass through passages in valve I32 and through the line I48 to theair cylinder I I8 to move the piston II6 to the right as'viewed in Figure 3. During this movement of the piston air is exhausted through the pipe I50, valvel32, pipe I52 and silencer I54'-into the atmosphere. Movement of handle I34 in the opposite direction from neutral position will cause air under pressure from pipe I30 to pass through valve I32 and line I50 to air cylinder II8 whereby the piston H6 is moved to the left. During movement of the piston to the left air is exhausted to the atmosphere from the left-hand end of the cylinder by means of pipe I48, valve I32, pipe I52 and air silencer I54. Movement of piston IIIicorrespondingly moves plunger I I2 in the cylinder I6 either to the right or left. Movement of plunger II2 to the right causes the modeling clay in the cylinder I6 to be extruded through the orifice in die I00 to form an elongated strip of desired cross-sectional shape. The extruded strip is indicated at I0 I.

The extruded material is supported by an extensible table I30, or by a removable board (not shown) carried by the table. The table has brackets I82 fixed thereto at spaced intervals. Each bracket has a pair of rollers I34 carried thereby and adapted to roll on upper arcuate surfaces I33 of a pair of slides, each of which consists of anelongated channel-shaped member I68 to which is secured, as by means of welding, an elongated member I10 of a right-angular shape in cross-section. Secured to the righthand bracket IE2 is a bracket I12, the outer ends of which are beneath the horizontal surface of angular-member I10. Each slide is slidably mounted on bearing units I15 comprising balls I16 rotatably carried by cages I18. Three bearing units are employed for each slide in the form of apparatus disclosed herein (see Fig. 3), each unit consisting of a cage and three upper and three lower balls. The balls contact arcuate portions I and I82 of elongated channel members I84. The channel members I84 are fixed (as 'by screws not shown) to a plurality of spaced blocks I88, which in turn are fixed to a plate I88, forming a portion of the supporting structure of the machine. In extending the table it is moved to the right, as best seen invFigure 3, until the rollers I54 contact stops I carried by the slides, whereupon both the table and slides move together. During a portion of the outward travel of the slides and table as a unit the bearings are not forced totravel with the slide and the balls may simply rotate in the stationary cages and arcuate surfaces of the slides and channel members. However at a later stage in the movement of the slides and table a stop or projection (not shown) carried by each slide engages the rearslides to the left so that they do not project outwardly from the machine, thus taking up less space and presenting a more attractive appearance.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be, apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention.

Iclaim: I 1.. In amachine for extruding plastic material,

an extrusion cylinder, a hinged-clamping plate adjacent one endo'f said cylinder, means carried by the hinged-clamping plate for holding an extrusion-die for movement with the hingedclamping plate, means for locking the hinged clamping-plate and extrusion die in fixed position adjacent said end of the cylinder, and a fluid pressure actuated plunger in said extrusion-cylinder for extruding plastic material from said cylinder through said extrusion die.

2. In a machine for extruding plastic'material, an extrusion-cylinder, a hinged-clamping plate adjacent one end of said cylinder, an extrusiondie, means carriedby said clamping plate for resiliently holding an extrusion-die against said a pair of pivoted arms operable as a unit and having arcuate surfaces for cooperating with said pair of rollers, saidarcuate surfaces on said arms in one position clearing said rollers whereby said hinged-clamping plate may be swung outward and in another position engaging the rollers and locking the clamping plate and extrusion-die in fixed position adjacent the end of said cylinder, and a fluid actuated plunger in said extrusioncylinder for extruding plastic material through said extrusion-die.

l, In a machine for extruding plastic material; an extrusion-cylinder; a hinged-clamping plate adjacent one end of said cylinder, means carried by said clamping plate for resiliently holding an extrusion-die in position on said clamping plate; a pair of rollers carried by said clamping plate at opposite sides thereof; a pair of arms operable as a unit; said arms having arcuate surfaces for cooperating with said rollers, and also having cam surfaces and slotted openings; fixed inclined surfaces contacting said cam surfaces; fixed pins within said slotted openings for pivoting the arms and permitting a'small amount of movement of the arms with respect to the pins; and a fluid pressure actuated plunger in said extrusioncylinder for extruding plastic material through said extrusion-die.

5. In a machine for extruding plastic material, a fixed plate member having a circular opening therethrough, an extrusion cylinder having its internal diameter the same as the diameter of. said circular opening, means for holding one end of said extrusion cylinder in contact with said fixed plate with the axis of the extrusion cylinder in alignment with said circular opening, a movable clamping plate on the opposite side of said fixed plate from that of said extrusion-cylinder, an extrusion-die between said clamping plate and fixed plate, means for locking the clamping-plate and extrusion-die in fixed position adjacent said fixed plate, and means for extruding plastic material from the extrusion-cylinder through said extrusion-die.

6. In a machine for extruding plastic material, a fixed plate member having a circular opening therethrough,-an extrusion-cylinder having its internal diameter the same as the'diameter of said circular opening and in axial alignment therewith, screw threaded meansmovable to one position to engage one endoi saidex'trusion-cylinder to move the extrusion-cylinder and hold the opposite end thereof in pressure contact with said fixed plate and movable in the opposite direction for release of said extrusion-cylinder, a hinged-clamping plate on the opposite side of saidfixed plate from that of said extrusion-cylinder, means carrier by said clamping plate for resiliently holding an extrusion-die against said clamping plate when the latter is in unclamped position, meansfor locking said clamping plate in fixed position with the resilient die holding means in contact with said fixed plate and with the die between the resilient means and said clamping plate, and an air pressure operated plunger in said extrusion-cylinder for extruding plastic material from said cylinder through said extrusion-die.

7. In a machine for extruding plastic material such as modeling clay and the like, an extrusioncylinder, a clamping plate adjacent one end of said cylinder, a pair of fixed strap-members having slots adjacent the outer ends thereof, a rod passing through said clamping plate near the bottom thereof and having end portions within the slotted openings whereby the rods are pivotally movable within the slots at any point permitted by the length of the slots, spring means carried by said clamping plate for resiliently holding extruding-dies to said clamping plate, a pair of rollers carried at opposite sides of said clamping plate, a pair of spaced arms operable as a unit, said arms having arcuate surfaces for cooperating with said rollers, said arms also having cam surfaces and slotted openings, fixed inclined surfaces contacting said cam surfaces and fixed pins within said slotted openings for pivoting the arms, said slots permitting a small amount of movement of the arms relatively to the pins, the construction being such that in one position of the arms the pair of rollers are engaged by said arcuate surfaces and the clamping plate held in locked posit-ion and in another position of the arms the arcuate surfaces clear the rollers whereby the locking plate is movable outward and downward.

8. In a machine for extruding plastic material, an extrusion-cylinder, a movable clamping plate adjacent one end of said cylinder, an extrusion-die between the said end of said extrusion-cylinder and said clamping plate, means for locking the clamping plate and extrusion-die in'fixed position adjacent said one end of said extrusion-cylinder, a plunger in said extrusioncylinder for extruding plastic-material from said extrusion-cylinder through said extrusion-die, an air cylinder, a piston therein connected to said plunger in the extrusion-cylinder, and means for supplying air pressure to said air cylinder for operating the piston including a flexible hose carried by a rotatable reel supported by the machine whereby the machine may be operated at variable distances from a fixed source of air pressure.

9.- A machine as in claim 1 in which the machine is supported by casters whereby it may be moved readily from place to place at variable distances from a fixed source of fluid pressure and means for supplying fluid pressure to actuate'the plunger including a flexible hose carried by a rotatable reel supported bythe machine whereby the machine may be operated at variable distances from the fixed source of fluid pressure.

10. A machine as in'claim 1 which has sup porting means carried by the machine below the extrusion-cylinder and an extensible and retractible table supported by said supporting means, which table, when extended provides a support for extruded material and which may be retracted when the machine is not in use into a position below the extrusion-cylinder and generally within an enclosing sheet metal casing carried by the supporting frame of the machine.

11. A machine as in claim 8 which has supporting means carried by the machine below the extrusion-cylinder and an extensible and retractible table supported by said supporting means, which table, when extended, provides a support for extruded material and which may be retracted when the machine is not in use into a position below the extrusion-cylinder and generally within an enclosing sheet metal casing carried by the supporting frame of the machine.

ROBERT F. SMITH.

10 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 873,559 Koontz Dec. 10, 1907 1,252,821 Lewis Jan. 8, 1918 1,490,162 Dow Apr. 15, 1924 1,561,612 Loichot Nov. 1'7, 1925 1,600,552 Makowski Sept. 21, 1926 1,610,952 Koberling Dec. 14, 1926 1,825,475 Pfeiifer Sept. 29, 1931 1,858,956 Hepperle May 17, 1932 1,947,202 Homeier Feb. 13, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 1,935 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1903 

